• Center on Health Equity & Access
  • Clinical
  • Health Care Cost
  • Health Care Delivery
  • Insurance
  • Policy
  • Technology
  • Value-Based Care

Understanding Demodex Blepharitis Pathogenesis

Opinion
Video

Eric D. Donnenfeld, MD; discusses the importance of understanding the pathogenesis of Demodex blepharitis to reach a proper diagnosis.

This is a video synopsis/summary of an Insights involving Eric D. Donnenfeld, MD.

Demodex is a very common eyelash mite found in most USpatients, causing blepharitis and inflammation. Many clinicians and patients are unaware of Demodex’s significant role in ocular surface disease. Educating patients about this chronic parasite is important because its role is often misunderstood.

For decades, clinicians thought Demodex was harmless. It is now knownthat blepharitis is overwhelmingly associated with Demodexinfestation. When seeing infected patients, Donnenfeld explains how eradicating Demodexcan improve their ocular surface disease.

Demodex blepharitis causes eyelid inflammation, redness, and occlusion, but patients cannot self-diagnose. Eye care professionals diagnose it readily by looking for pathognomonic cylindrical plugs called collarettes on eyelashes. Healthcare professionals must recognize collarettes indicatingDemodex blepharitis and look for them.

Previously, Demodex’s role was misunderstood and no FDA-approved treatments existed. Now an effective approved medication manages Demodex, improving ocular disease. All eye care professionals should understand Demodex’s role in blepharitis and test for it routinely.

Video synopsis is AIgenerated and reviewed by AJMC® editorial staff.

Related Videos
1 KOL is featured in this series.
1 KOL is featured in this series.
Justin Oldham, MD, MS, an expert on IPF
Mei Wei, MD, an oncologist specializing in breast cancer at Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah.
Dr Bonnie Qin
Screenshot of an interview with Ruben Mesa, MD
Justin Oldham, MD, MS, an expert on IPF
Ruben Mesa, MD
Amit Garg, MD, Northwell Health
4 KOLs are featured in this series
Related Content
© 2024 MJH Life Sciences
AJMC®
All rights reserved.